Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-09-16


francs. Last night, in despair, l went to a
gaming house and tried my fortune, and God
knows how it happened, for ] know nothing
of cards. l won $1,000 francs, which you
have here. This, with what you have, viii
meet ali our obligations to the last SOU"
~ am glad indeed" said Jean Guerrier as
he gathered up the money and went back to
his books, where he entered it, and then
busted himself making up the pay roll for
the workmen, while Roger lit cigar and
smoked with an air of content, his eyes row.
ing slowly around him on the different parts
of the building, which was nearly all visible
to him. as his office was in an L. The noise
of the hammers and files was music in his
ears, and the designs that were tackled UP
against his walls were dearer to him than
priceless paintings. "And to think that was
on the point of leaving all this; that was 60
ing to say goodby to the labor and dream of
my lfel Well, it is over now, and will think
no more of it."
When Jean had finished the pay roll he
called the three foremen of the workshops
and handed them the money for paying the
workmen and then made up the payments for
the employees of the office, but was inter-
rupted in this by the entrance of the Office
boy, who came up to him with frightened
Dir.
an. Guerrier there are four men who have
just entered the waiting room and want to
see NJ Laroque instantly"
"Well what of itp answered he, with his
eyes still bent upon his work.
"Why, one of them is Mr.. Lienard, the
commissionaire of police of the judiciary
court, and two detectives, who are in dis
guise. | know them both, the spies!'
The cashier raised his head this time and
shivered lightly.
"What does that mean! Well, go and tell
NJ. Laroque and bring them in
At the announcement Of this visit Laroque
was somewhat astonished. He had forgotten
J completely all about the murder of Larouette
/, and his visit to NJ. Lacrox this morning. He
| remembered suddenly, and made sign that
| the boy should bring NJ. Lienard. He rose
| and went forward to meet the c.fcer and
! saluted him:
~ know the object of your visit, sir, and
thank you for the trouble You have taken.
But | should have gone willingly to your
office if you had sent me word"
"Monseur," said the commissioner, who
would not sit down in spite Of the invitation
of Tar0nua. Il have brought with INC an
expert in bookkeeping, and 1 neg you WIN
give him your books"
"My boolS3 And by what right, if you
please"
"'The right which the law imposes upon me.
1 also desire hat you give yourcaeher orders
to facilitate the labors Of the expert in every
manner"
And if refuse:'
II shall do SO without your consent
LaroQue made heroic effort to contain his
anger. His face, usually 50 fresh and ruddy,
took an ashy rallor, and his eyes glittered
with suppressed anger. Finally he controlled
himself enough to speak.
"What do you want, sir, and why this
abuse Of poweri'
"WhGt | want is, first, the list of all the
notes, bills or securities which you used to
pay Larouette. You know that lie was
robbed and murdered the day you made him
this payment"
at is my duty to enlighten you on this
point and you can tell your expert to go to
my cashier ". Guerrer, who VIII give him
all the details. But allow me to say that if
you he'd shown a little more courtesy you
would have received more in return
VI. Lirnard remained silent and cold
: Roger stepped to the cashiers dcsl; and said
a few words to Jean, aAd then returned
leaving II. Ricorlot, the expert, to eX-
anime the books, which he l.o Odd to do
! saying:
The law wishes to know in what consisted
the payment made to NJ. LaroucOe-goll, Sc
curities or bank notes."
Nothing is easier. You see, three Cay,
ago there was nothing but gold and notes; nc
check or securities As this payment wa;
made in gold and notes, it will rot be easy tC
trace them, but | have an indication which
may bp of Volua Ar,opc, tna I O0D from,
notes there were twenty or thirty which we
received from the country ly registered let
te" Hero are the letters, and they contain
the numbers and letters on the notes which
were inclosed. Perhaps that will be of ser
vice.
NJ Lienard stood near the door listening t,
this conversation.
And, besides, accident also caused PAR
! ticular mark on some of the notes As ! wa,
counting bundle of notes, an empoye acci
dentally upset my ink and it stained ten or
dozen of them, all in nearly the same place
on the right"
That is precious" murmured Lenard.
The books prove ali this young man says,
said Ricordot, discontentedly. Now SHOW
us those of to-day"
Finally, after RicordOt had examined tn
entries Of the preceding day and that of tn
last hour, and had held a whispered con
yersation with NJ. Lenard, the latter said t
; Laroque
"Ri.ordot has examined your books. II
sees, what we knew, that your affairs are il
a very bad condition, and that day befor
> yesterday, yesterday even, you could couu
upon nothing but hazard to save you iron
7 your embarrassment"
THAT is true, sir" said Laroque, sadly "
just missed bankruptcy but to-day am safe.
"Ricordot noticed on your books tia
; yesterday You received an important sum
one hundred thousand francs-and to-da
another entry of $1,000 francs, both paid i
by you, without any indication from whenc
they came
THAT also is quite true. But what is you
! object in this il uiryp
M. Laroque, will you answer frankly an
without hesitation some questions l am abou
7 to ask your
! "Eou can count upon my franness," sal
i Roger with noble simplicity. II never lie